001Good evening everyone. Welcome. I'd like to call to order this regularly scheduled board of education meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025. Miss Stoko, would you please call the role? >> Miss Coco >> here. >> Mr. Gomez, >> here. >> Mr. Harris, >> here. >> Mrs. Schaefer, >> here. Miss White, >> here. And B is approval of the agenda. Is recommended that the board of education approves the agenda of the September 24th, 2025 board of education meeting. Action of the by the board of education in adoption of a consent agenda means that all items are adopted by one singular motion unless a member of the board of education, treasurer, or superintendent requests that any such item be removed from the consent agenda and voted upon separately. So moved. Second >> discussion. Miss Docoy,
002please call the role. >> Miss Coco. >> I. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mr. Schaefer. >> I miss white. >> I see his opening ceremony. >> This meeting is a meeting of the Kyogre Falls Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the school district's business. It is not a public community meeting, although there are opportunities for public participation. If an individual wishes to address the board regarding a topic found on the meeting agenda, the individual must complete a registration form found inside the attendance notebook and present it to the treasurer. Following the introduction of the topic by the board president, followed by board discussion, the individual will be recognized. If an individual wishes to address the board regarding a topic not found on the meeting agenda,
003he or she must notify the superintendent and or board president of the topic no later than three business days in advance of the meeting. These individuals may share their comments during the board business portion of the agenda. In both cases, the individual will preface comments by announcement of his or her name and address and limit comments to three minutes. All statements should be directed to the board president. No person may address or question board members individually. An unabbridged board agenda for this meeting can be found on your electronic device at the address shown on the screen. And for your convenience, hard copies of the board agenda may be found on the table by the signin book. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Kyogre Falls Board of Education is October 8th, 2025 at 5:30 in
004the Kyogre Falls High School Library. And now for our pledge of allegiance, Mr. Harris. Please stand for the pledge if you're able. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Welcome. Our vision, Chicago City School District, the hub of our community, committed to a culture of caring. We innovate. We create. We personalize education for all. Our mission, every student, every day, every opportunity. >> Thank you, Mr. Harris. Item D is board business. Number one is the elementary school closure vote. It is recommended that the board of education moves to close blank elementary school beginning the 2026 2027 school year. So moved. Do we have recommendations? Anybody? I would recommend closing
005Preston, not because I like it or I want to, but because I think it's better suited for the elementary um not elementary, but the preschool and for the um Schneay kids. There's just more room, more rooms available than what Price has. And that was my consideration. I don't like it because I do come from the east side. I don't like to see any buildings closed over there. Um, we already lost SIL and I don't want to lose other ones. And I would suggest to whoever is on the board that we build a new school either at the Preston property or Sil property because that side of the city has very little and I think we owe it to them to build a new elementary school there. But that was my reasoning. Preston just has more
006room. So, >> does anyone have any other recommendation? >> Any discussion? >> I'll go first. Um, so uh this is one of the uh hardest decisions I've had to make as a board member. We've had to make a lot up here. Um I want to first by thanking every parent, every teacher, every community member who has written, spoken, attending these meetings to have your voice heard. It's that passion right there. that passion for our kids, that passion for our schools, and that passion for this community that matters. So, I want to thank you all so very much for being a part of this process and for bringing your voices. I don't just sit up here as a board member. I sit up here as a dad of a 2 and a halfyear-old who will soon
007be walking into these classrooms. I sit here as a taxpayer just like all of you. And I sit here as someone who knows that our schools are more than just buildings. They're more than just bricks and mortar. I know that they are the heartbeat of our community. They're where our kids grow, where our friendships are, where friendships are formed, and where families come together. That's why we have a responsibility to our students, to our families, and to our taxpayers to make decisions that are financially responsible and sustainable for the long run. So, after months of reviewing the data, listening to you, the community, and weighing our options, I believe that closing Preston Elementary, though painful, is the most responsible choice for the long-term financial health of this district. this building can still serve as serve
008us well for the pre-k program as Miss White has me miss white has mentioned uh uh the alternative high school more so than the other building could. Uh and we see here uh although impacting students a path that impacts uh fewer students and leaves us more room um to minimize disruptions of transportation. Uh so I know my choice is going to upset some folks. Uh it would have if I had chosen uh the other building as well. Uh change is hard. Uh but this moment is bigger than just today. We are looking at tomorrow as well. I can promise you now my son, your children, all the children in Ka Falls in Silver Lake that attend our schools will get good quality education and will get schools worthy of their potential. They will uh that's
009why I made my decision with them in mind. And I want again want to thank everyone involved in this. I want to thank my colleagues up here. It has not been easy uh making this making this decision. I'm going to thank administration, Dr. Celico, everyone who got us what we needed to do. So, um uh and again, um not easy, but uh this is uh this is where we landed and that this is what I believe is best for the district. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Harris. Mr. Schaefer. >> Okay. I'm just going to read some because um as Mr. Harris said, closing an elementary school is hard. Um these buildings hold so many memories. Um there were students built the foundations of their education, made their first friends, and developed important social
010and emotional skills. Both of my children attended Preston Elementary and I spent 12 years there as a library volunteer and as a PTA parent and I can speak firsthand about the kindness and compassion of the people in that building. I've also heard countless stories and from families about the incredible principles of both Price and Preston and about the teachers of the staff who touched lives in lasting ways and that's what made this decision so emotional. As a board, we had to look closely at the facts and trust the expert opinions and the data presented by our administration. We considered many factors. Transportation routes, the number of buses and bus stops, how many students needed to be relocated, student achievement, class sizes, operational savings, facility condition and maintenance, building capacities, enrollment project projections, and even where
011boundary lines would fall along main roads and side roads. Our responsibility is to make the best decision for the greatest number of students. This decision is not about the quality of people that are inside these schools because they are all outstanding. It is about how we can best use our resources to continue serving the students well into the future. In making my decision, I focus on impacting the fewest families possible while also providing the right space to house our preschool program. Though Preston will no longer serve K through2 students and will continue to be a home for our youngest Black Tigers, Preston is special to so many people, including myself. I made li lifelong friends during my years in that building and I and so did both my children. Many of us will carry Preston
012in our hearts and our memories forever. And while that chapter is closing, new memories will continue to be made by preschool students who will begin their journey here and continue to grow as Black Tigers. >> Thank you, Mrs. >> I have something written as well, but before I get to that, there's just two things that um on my heart that I want to share as well. I grew up at 556 Taylor Avenue, one block from Preston Elementary. So, I know that people choose their homes like my parents did because of its location and walkability to a school. And so, I know that the impact that the closure of a school has on that community cuz it was my community growing up. And I also want to say that I think sometimes people have a perception
013about the poor that we all know what each other's going to do. I had no idea what anyone's position was on this topic until we came to this meeting tonight. So, we're all hearing each other's thoughts as we sit here and taking it all in. Um, I like to speak from the heart, but I thought that tonight it was important to be very deliberate and thoughtful with what I said. And I wrote this last evening at 8:45 p.m. And I waited till the last minute, not because I'm a procrastinator, but because I really didn't want to face the finality of this decision. I want to thank everyone who has been so engaged throughout this process because they care so deeply about education in the Ka Falls School District. As a district excited to open a
014612 building in just a few short months, we can't say that buildings don't matter. They do. And even now, I desperately wish we weren't in an enrollment position that calls for this decision, but we are. I believe the plan to close and sell Schneay is the best plan because keeping Shen open would require significant financial investment in the roof and other financial investments we've already made in both Preston and Price. As I evaluated the information we have asked for and received, two pieces of information really stood out to me. First, Price has strong residential enrollment. The community around Price has more residential children than Preston under our current boundaries. Second, as I worked with the rough draft boundary maps in every scenario I was able to design, more students would be impacted in a price
015closure than a Preston closure. Those two pieces are convincing to me as I wrestled with this decision and why am I I'm ultimately supporting the closure of my own elementary school Preston. This decision comes with deep emotions for me personally. My elementary school, my middle school, and my high school will all no longer be what they were all in the span of one year. But I'm much more concerned with the emotions and impacts on our K5 students and staff at Preston. I've already personally asked for a list of staff at Preston that would be need placed and it looks promising that folks will be able to be placed in new positions. I also asked for additional supports at whatever building is voted to be closed and we'll be deploying folks to support students and staff
016at Preston tomorrow. The work continues as we have boundary options drafted and listen to feedback from our community on those as well. Lastly, I personally first became involved with the board of education in 2004 and 2005 when the then board closed two buildings with no feedback from the community. While this year's process ended with the same difficult decision, a vote to close a building, I'm proud of the inclusive and transparent process we used that invited our community to journey along with us. >> Thank you, Mr. Gomez. Um, I would just like to add as well. Thank you so much to our community and our staff that have been involved throughout this whole process. It has meant so much for everyone to be involved and to hear about the wonderful things happening in all of our
017buildings and in Price um and in Preston specifically as we had our community meetings and a lot of feedback from those two schools. And this is a decision that we are having to make, but it's not one that any of us sitting up here have wanted to make. And like Mr. Gomez said, he procrastinated till the last minute. Um I did as well because it's a reality that we knew we were going to have to face, but um not one that any of us have wanted to. Um so I wrote something small as well, just because I knew that I would get off track if I didn't. So, as hard as this process and decision have been as a board member, I know that we are doing what is absolutely necessary for the financial future
018of our district this evening. We were elected by our community and they have entrusted us with the task of fiscal responsibility. Myself as well as my colleagues take that very seriously and I know that we have honored that this evening. That does not however make this any less hard and I know that this does not offer much solace to our families and students and staff that will be affected by this decision. What I do know is that throughout this process, it has been evident just how special our Black Tiger family is in our buildings. And I have faith in our administration and our staff to make this transition as smooth as possible and offer all the support and resources needed for our families and staff in this process. I know that our students will every
019day continue to have every opportunity for academic growth in the building that they um continue their education in next year. Thank you. Are we ready to take a vote? It is recommended that the board of education moves to close Preston Elementary beginning this 2026 2027 school year. >> Miss Sto, would you please call the role? >> Mr. Gomez. >> I. >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi. >> Mr. Schaefer. >> Hi. >> Miss White. >> Hi. >> Miss Coco. >> Hi. Thank you. Item E is treasurer CFO's business consent agenda. Miss Stoy, >> thank you. I'd like to recommend the board of education approve all items listed in the treasur's consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Um just a couple things mostly um normal stuff. So, we have the minutes um appropriations. Those are just
020um as we are closing out last year's grants and as we're closing out last year's grants and uh determining what our final carryover will be. Um some of those needed amendment amended, excuse me, um to um to take care of those. So, those were just some of our federal grants. And then our donations, um as always, there's a number of them. um for different buildings um across the district, the elementary buildings um which we always very much appreciate. >> Thank you. Questions or comments? >> M Stoy, would you please call the role? >> Mr. Harris, >> I. >> Mrs. Schaefer, >> I. >> Miss White, >> I. >> Miss Coco, >> I. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi. >> Brings us to item F. Treasurer CFO's business. >> Like to recommend the board of education approve
021the August 2025 investment schedule and monthly spending report. >> So move. >> Second. >> We'll just look at a couple things here real quick. >> Um we'll look at we can look at interest first just to um corner that so you can see obviously um our general fund accounts because of where we are at financially and our cash balances are are obviously down from previous years. Um we had a better month than July. Um some of that again we've received those um advances. So our cash balances tend to be a little higher this time of year. Um and kind of in the beginning end and middle is where we hit our low points. So um but we are still receiving um interest on our construction funds. Um as that goes on again those are also
022dwindling down as well. Um you can look at general fund just to kind of recap that. Um so as you can see we um again like I mentioned July August we start receiving tax advances for real estate. Um so we have two positive months of operations. So we are a little under $10 million at the end of August um there um going forward. So um that is about about what is expected um at this point given what we've had in the forecast. And the only other one I want to point out real quick is athletics because we talked about it last month. Um, and that, you know, we might be seeing um, you know, more of a a negative balance in those beginning months. Um, and so you still see a negative in August and
023really that has to do with the timing of when that last game was. So obviously we had um, a very good turnout and and had a lot of ticket revenue from uh, the first home game, the last one at the stadium. Um but because it was on the 20 the last business day of August, some of that stuff didn't hit the bank until September. So um they are not in the negative as of this current moment. Um but just because we had not really received any revenue, you know, in July or August for anything yet. Um is why why it's like that. But everything is is kind of back to normal now. >> Awesome. Thank you. Any questions or comments? There's that the red tree changed their reports. >> They did. >> Yeah. >> I
024was caught off guard a little bit. >> I couldn't hear what you said. >> Said red tree changed their reports. >> Oh, they changed how I >> Yeah, it caught me off guard. Yep. >> Thank you. Miss Stokeley, please call the role. >> Mrs. Schaefer, >> I. >> Miss White, >> I. >> Miss Coco, >> I. >> Mr. Gomez, >> I. >> Mr. Harris, >> I for your comments. Um just a couple of things really quick. Um next month um next meeting I should say um will be the forecast um which I mentioned before and then in following years it will be in August. um which I have to say even doing it in October has proven to be a little bit difficult and in August is going to be um very difficult because in
025August in in my world for the most part um especially salaries and benefits we're still closing out last year um and so not having those kind of actuals is going to be a little bit um it's going to be different um looking at that. So, um, this next year is going to probably it may look a little different than, you know, a November or a May in that in that case. Um, for example, one of the things you're going to see is, you know, um, if it had been in November, we would have we would know what the levy, you know, what would happen with that. At this point, we don't, so it'll still be modeled. Um, that types that type of thing. Um and then a number of things are obviously going on legislatively
026that we maybe um don't have answers to as well as far as the vetos um whether you know the ones that were passed or overridden I should say um will be um concurred and and taken up. Um they still have time as I mentioned before to take up other ones. Um, you know, there's been some of the tax reform studies that have just come out. Um, OEPI just did it with Howard Fleeter. Um, I think some of you maybe have seen him before, but um, put out a report recently and they're actually having a webinar. He's have doing a webinar. I can forward you guys the info. I think it's on Monday. >> Okay. >> Um, for like an hour um, in regards to that um, document that he produced regarding property tax and and
027all of that. But um, He's great >> there. Yeah, he's very very smart and he he really does know what he's talking about. Um so um there are but there are a number we uh last week we uh had a a legal update at our OASBO um regional little things we do every month and there are a hot number of items out there that could have have big impacts. So um I won't steal any more of Mr. Paris is thunder if that's what you talk about later. >> But that's it. >> Thank you. Item G is superintendent CEOs of business. Dr. Celica. >> Thank you, M. Coco. Recommended that the board of education approves all items listed in the superintendent's consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second, >> which is just one. Mhm. Um the
028uh personnel items that we have are relatively routine in that we have some classified My computer's doing something funny here. Sorry about that. Um we have some classified and certified um appointments and reassignments. We have some extra duties uh mentoring stipens there. um numerous uh you see there a number of um leave of absences and then um a number of retirements that I just want to mention um all of them actually um we have Elizabeth Curtis Thomas a second grade teacher at DIT these are all folks that will be retiring at the end of the year Kathleen just a fifth grade teacher at Preston Elementary School uh Dan McGovern eighth grade teacher um asks uh the middle school Karen Nuome first grade teacher at Dwit and I believe we asked how many years and I
029forgot the answer. 47 >> 47 >> and I was in her classroom yesterday actually chatting and um yeah, it it was quite quite an accomplishment to go that long in in elementary school teacher. I give her lots of credit. Um and Kelly Durban, a seventh grade teacher, Ka Falls Middle School. And then Amy McDougall, our CTE special education coordinator at Kaiohagen Falls High School, and she works with our CTE students. So, I just want to thank all of them and um congratulate them and certainly they have a school year left to to go and I hope it uh is a great all of them. >> Thank you, Dr. Selico. Any questions or comments say Jennifer Justice who retired from Dwood a few years ago, she did 48 years though, so she beat Karen by one,
030you know, that's a long time. >> They were they were longtime friends as well and colleagues. So, years M Stokeway, please call the RO. >> Miss White, >> I. >> Miss Coco, >> I. >> Mr. Gomez, >> I. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Mrs. Schaer, >> I. >> And superintendent, CEO's comments, business yourself. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, a number of things I want to mention that are upcoming or that have passed. Um, we I saw many of you last week at the Fresh Farm event. That was great. Um we have uh coming up, these are going to be all random. State of the schools uh addresses on Monday evening at six o'clock in the uh little theater at the high school. So hopefully we'll have some folks attend. >> Uh I met with
031my soups troops for the first time last week. So we had a great meeting and looking forward to to working with those students again. I played principal today at Lincoln for the entire day. That was enjoyable. Um we had uh we have coming up next week our discipline assemblies. So as you know customary each year we've been we generally have our uh a judge, an FBI agent, a prosecutor, um chief of police, SRO, and myself um taking part in speaking with our middle school and high school students particularly. Uh we typically have spoken about threats because at one time we were having such a a problem if you will I guess with um students making um threats and jokingly but again that is not uh most cases jokingly but we can't we don't take those
032as jokes when you are making threats towards individuals or the school. So we've been showing them the consequences from the moment you make the comment to full if you end up in trouble what that looks like. Um we're going to expand it a little bit this year just in um uh relation to the inc some of the incidences we've been having this year unfortunately some acts of you know violence fighting um as well as as I talked last time our uh use of vapes with THC and nicotine. So we're going to add that to our um talk about not just uh the consequences we'll follow up with some education as well. And I have something that'll be going out I've been working with Mrs. Merkel who's here that'll be going out to the parents to
033educate them as well what to look for um other uh things and also for students the dangers of it. So we're going to continue to work with them on that. So that's happening on the 30th. So that will be pretty much my my day where we traveled all the schools. Um we have uh next week uh want to point out our board members here at OSBA. We have uh our awards ceremony. I believe Mr. Gomez will be recognized as a master board member for aptitude and recognition. There are different stages in which um the board members can earn recognition. So, Mr. Gomez will be awarded for that as well as Mrs. Schaefer for her aptitude test. So, we're looking forward to seeing you and recognizing you that evening. And uh we also will be recognizing
034Lincoln as a Purple Star school. So, we have lots of awards and recognition next week, which will be nice. On October 3rd will be our opener for the football game. So, we're excited about that >> as well. I believe >> Preston, I that wasn't on my list, but are you >> Oh, yeah. Because I called you about it or I texted you about it. It wasn't on when I when I sent when I looked back at the email. You weren't on there, but the second email you were. So, yes. And Preston. >> So, we will be there now that I remember that. Yes. And so, football October 3rd. Um, we will have our opener and we're expecting a big crowd. We will have shuttles provided for parking because we're a little bit nervous about the
035amount of people that will come. We probably had 5,000 people attend our last game in Clifford Stadium. So, we're expecting a large crowd there. Uh we have a birthday coming up on our board. One of our board members has a birthday on Sunday. That lady there that just did that. Um so, happy birthday to Mrs. White. >> Thank you. >> And then, um lastly, I just want to say I know that the the board made a really difficult decision this evening. I think it's been weighing on all of us and I won't um belabor the decision. I just know that it was um I appreciate your heartfelt messages. I know the five of you and I know that every one of you spoke from the heart. So I do appreciate the job that you have
036to do and the tough decisions you have to make. Um but I do want to say on the the side now um you know next steps. I just want to assure you that um we have a plan for our um communication for communicating number one our school closure. So, there will be some messages going out this evening to our staff, our entire district. I have a message um crafted. I also will be sending a message out to the districtwide, all of our parents and families so they can know the decision um this evening before it, if it hasn't already hit social media. Um and then we will have a press release that will go out. And we also uh as you had mentioned for students, I want to thank Miss Merkel and her team. I
037thought they did a phenomenal job on providing our teachers with talking points. I went through all of it. it's right here in front of me. And um they were addressing uh just ways in which we can be strong for the students and we can be factual. We want to carry on with our routines, but explaining the what, the why, um the when and uh what will happen to the building, explaining what it means for our students, and then the support and reassurance that we can give to students and staff. So, I thought it was well laid out. I appreciate the work. Um, I think it's uh very manageable and uh for our staff because we know it'll be emotional and in delivering those messages to our students. I'm sure parents this evening once they get
038the message we'll be telling their um their children, but I also will be there in the morning um to support Principal Brown and uh talk to the staff and answer any questions or concerns they might have. So, I just want you to know that. And um I think that's it. Thank you. Um, can I ask a question about the um, opening of the new stadium? >> Yes. >> I've gotten actually multiple people asking if they're paying with cash at the new stadium, where do they go for that? Cuz we have the two entrances. >> So, we >> and so they want to just kind of know where to situate themselves in terms of that. >> So, we're in the process of buying two very small like sheds almost that will be the ticket booths that
039will really be distinguished, but we don't have them in yet. So, they're going to have tables and I think little tents set up. So, they should be visible right by those entrances. So, the 13th >> both entrances. >> Yes. >> Okay. I will let folks know >> and I want to make sure I'll I'll look at Mr. Hutch >> because I've been getting that question from people and I said I will get back to you >> and the west side. >> Okay. >> Thank you for that. >> Can I ask another is handicap parking available already? >> Yes, we have. And I'm glad you're bringing this up. So, we have a map that um Miss Stewart has created with TDA's department. So, we will send it out to all of our our parents and we'll
040give it to the opposing team as well. It's a map that will show you all the areas in which you can park and where the entrances will be and all that. So, everyone will get in a traffic flow. They'll see. Thank you. Item I is board business. Number one is approval of support organization. It is recommended that the board of education approves the following support organizations. Kyoga Falls High School PTSO, Gordon Dit Elementary School PTO, Elizabeth Price Elementary School PTO, Instrumental Music Patrons, Kyogre Falls Visual Arts Booster Club, Kyogre Falls Vocal Music Patrons, and Silver Lake home and School Lake. So move second. Any discussion? >> Thank you to all the organizations for getting that paperwork in. >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> See you, Miss Long. >> Hey, Miss Stoko, please call the
041role. >> Miss Coco, >> I. >> Mr. Gomez, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Mrs. Schaefer. >> Hi. >> Miss White. >> Hi. >> Item two is resolution for the cyber security program. It is recommended that the board of education approves the resolution to adopt a cyber security program for the Kyogre Falls City School District. >> Sorry, >> discussion. Yeah, I'll have speak to this. >> So, House Bill 96 requires us no later than September 30th to formally adopt a cyber security program. We've had the N framework in place for a long time, but we your PDQ the next iteration of policy EA our security policy will meet the requirement, but it won't met the requirement in time. Uh so we wanted to make sure we formally resolved that we will develop and
042continue to develop our cyber security program in compliance with House Bill 96 prior to September 30th. So it's simply to get ahead of policy that's ultimately coming that's going to say largely the same thing our next policy adoption. >> Thank you, Mr. Hutch. Any questions or comments? Mr. Doy, please call the role. >> Mr. Gomez. >> Hi, >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Schaefer. >> Hi, >> Miss White. >> Hi, >> Miss Coco. >> I item three is the first read of the 2026 2027 calendar. We have any discussion? This is just the first read before approval. It's hard to believe that we're already looking at the calendar for a year from now. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into getting this done early for >> like it's ear it's earlier this
043year. >> Yeah. I appreciate that. >> Any comments or questions on that? Okay. Item four is future agenda items. Anyone have anything they'd like to add? We know that we have the fiveyear coming up. >> We have the report card on the boundaries on the 22nd. >> Yes. Yeah, I'm not sure. We'll definitely have an update. I'm not sure what that update will look like. I did let Mrs. um it is on our agenda this year. >> Mrs. Johnson know that we'll be um you know, now we got to go to work and I I know that um I I have not checked in with her if I'm being honest in the last couple of weeks. I will check in with her >> before the end of this week and find out the status because
044I know she's working on the boundaries. I'm sorry, the new line or new bus routes for when we open the campus in January. So, I I'm sure they're busy working on that, but I'm gonna I I will talk to her about now getting to work on these um boundary lines. >> Thank you. >> And then in December, we usually we know we only have one meeting. We usually have the update on success and wellness and then it also meets the requirements of that annual notification. So if we could do that, that would be helpful. Plus then we meet that requirement piece as well. So two birds. Um and then in November, could we have conversation about the strategic plan because by then it should really be rolling. So could we have some like updates about
045that? How is it going? How is the marketing going? Etc. >> January. You said >> November. >> Oh, November. Oh, well, if I'm going to be honest, there won't be a lot. Um, we we have we won't have our first well, we'll be right in having our first meeting um because our in October, well, actually very soon the next our next edition of ROAR will be going out to solicit um more people if they're interested in serving on the committees. We will be doing that internally, but we wanted to, you know, broaden our reach with our community members and um families to be part of it. So the first meetings happening in November, so January would honestly be more realistic to have something to report. We're just really inundated with lots of stuff happening this
046fall. I'm not making excuses, but we're just super busy, >> but we have been talking about it. >> I'd still like to have a conversation November. I don't want to go six month. It's a threeyear plan only. I don't want to go 6 months without talking as a board. It's one of our most important pieces of work as a board of education. I don't think we should go a sixth of the time without even discussing it. >> Well, does it hurt to have just a general discussion in November and then a presentation in January? >> Yeah, I don't think it hurts. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we can handle that. first meeting in November >> unless there's something else that comes. I mean, we have two meetings in November, so >> either or is fine with
047me. >> Yeah, >> I have a question. >> Unrelated to that, but I was thinking about the bus route thing. Do we have to reapprove bus routes then >> once they're finally? Yes. >> So into like December. >> It depends on what the revised code says. >> Yeah. >> I don't know. >> I think during CO I don't know if during CO if we voted on them every time we change stuff. >> Somebody's going to you're probably going to have to ask the lawyer what the revised code says on that. The revised code is really specific about the approving them so close to when it starts, but I don't know about when you change them what that requirement is. >> Okay. Are you speaking to the new best the when the new campus opens? >>
048Yeah. >> Approving those? >> Yes. because we changed them at least once during the 2020 2021 school year when we switched delivery models during co and I don't recall us voting >> to reapprove them I >> think we did we looked at them I know >> yeah I don't think we voted on >> I don't think we voted I'm not It's a great question though. I would have not >> something should be looked into for sure. >> I I whether it's required, >> but even if it's not required, we still can't, >> but if it's required, we definitely need to. >> True. Yes. >> Have to go to the revised code for that one. >> Thank you, Mrs. Schaefer. Okay, that brings us to our committee report. Um, athletics and activity council, Mr. Gomez or
049I'm sorry, not that uh board policy. >> Yeah, we just um late last week received the September policy development quarterly from our policy provider. So, we'll be working to schedule a meeting soon and bring u policies to the board for first read. >> Thank you. Legislative liaison, Mr. Harris. >> Yeah. Uh, and Miss Stoy White, always feel free to talk as much as you want about property taxes. Um, please, uh, just a quick update here. And, uh, Dr. Sto, I believe you included these in our notes. I do appreciate that the, uh, legislative outlook you have. Um, the Ohio's property tax reform working group, I believe they're meeting this week. I don't think they've met yet, but they will be meeting this week um, to try to meet that deadline from Governor DeWine to have
050that report um, by September 30th. Um there has been a introduction of taxpayer freedom trilogy bills. >> Um House Bill 420, the discontinuing the continuum. House Bill 421, arresting the inside millillage. And House Bill 422, triumph of the taxpayer. So House Bill 420 eliminates the perpetual tax levies that requires voter approval for renewals. All existing levies would expire by 2030. House Bill 421 gives voters the power to reduce the property tax rates local governments can impose without public vote. Uh House Bill 422 changes uh voter approval thresholds for new levies, making it harder to raise taxes. So um this is a um these are pieces of legislation that could destabilize school funding. Uh these are uh going to be bad for school. It's bad for local control in general. Um so uh that like Mr.
051Docoy said there's just a lot um that could possibly happen here. So, I will just do my best to keep you all uh posted um on that. And again, Miss Doyco, you know, we'll we'll kind of go back and forth on some of that information there. So, um but uh but yeah, I I think that uh that that tax reform group, they should be meeting later this week to to release their report on things. So, >> so they're actually going to take away the money that we get on our levies. Are they looking at the state giving us money? I had to ask. I know the answer, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. >> Yeah. And I I think I'd mentioned, you know, in the last meeting, too. And >> I mean,
052it's clear what is happening here. I mean, these are strategic ways to defund public uh education uh in Ohio and favor private uh education. So, I I I >> Yeah, I'll keep you guys posted as we as we get stuff. Well, it was actually the Giaka County Commissioners, who are all um Republicans, who did the research and found out that Inside Mill was actually established in the Ohio Constitution. So, a piece of legislation cannot repeal something that's in the Ohio Constitution. So, there's a lot of um hand ringing around that and Columbus cuz they're trying to go after inside mill, but it's actually in the state constitution. So >> perhaps they can change the distributions, but they can't they actually can't take away insign because it's established. >> They'll find >> in the constitution. >>
053They'll try. >> And then another thing is they they're talking about sales tax, but >> this um or income taxes, neither of which I think people want because I don't I think the answer people would prefer when we talk to people is they would not like their taxes to be raised. So it's not that they want alternative means of taxation, >> but if you look at the county agencies that we have such as the developmental disabilities board that call um drug ADM board >> and um the CSB board as well as Metro RTA that are supported through voted tax levies as well. If all of their tax levies were repealed, the only way that they could get money would be through a sales tax and it would take a 17% increase in the county sales
054tax to replace their funding that they currently get through voted >> and that hurts lower income. >> Well, no one would buy things in Summit County. I know that would no one would buy things in Summit County. the least of which would be cars, which are one of the major drivers of sales tax income >> to the county. So, um we would all drive to a county nearby because it'd be worth the gas >> to go shop >> at somewhere just across the border. So, >> I'm not, >> you know, we would all love school board members, superintendents, and treasures included to pay less in property taxes, but we have to be realistic about where the other sources of funding are going to come from because nobody's going to pay 17% more in sales tax
055either. >> That's a good note. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you. That brings us to item six, comments. Mr. Harris, you're up first. >> Uh, sorry, I don't have a lot. Um, the Clifford Stadium, uh, send off everything. Teddy had a fantastic time. Um, I had a fantastic time. It was great. Uh, sitting around some folks that were just telling, sharing stories and stuff. Uh, he wasn't my son. Uh, didn't want to get pictures with our mascot at that event, but we had the fresh farm garden party and he opened up a little bit. So, uh, that event was fantastic. Always is. Um, if I It was just a crazy day that day. I believe had some fantastic weather for it if I remember correctly. It was it was very well attended. I couldn't
056stay too long, but um it was great. And then >> mention the Facebook page. I >> I think it I I think Yes, it did. That Yeah, that's right. That's right. Um still a slip. Still a slip. Um and then I just want to mention this. Uh, I I was at an event yesterday uh and I had one of our high school students uh come up to me and um was chatting to me about um school funding uh and uh uh just legislative things and I I was just very much amazed by it. uh asking these questions about private school transportation and why we're having to to front that and uh even asked for uh how they could get more involved and reaching out to their state representatives. And I I I just I was
057really just blown away by I want to provide them that information and I just love seeing our students rolling up their sleeves and wanting to be involved in uh more more involved in their their education. So that's really all I have. So >> thank you Mr. Harris, Mrs. Schaefer. Um, I don't have much. I will say I think probably the highlight is was Clifford Stadium. That was so exciting. Um, the the Tiger Tailgate. Um, then the game. There was some pretty exciting things happening at the game. >> The score didn't really reflect the excitement of the game, but there I was on my feet a couple times. And um then after the one and I you guys are sick of me saying this probably but one of my favorite things is at the end of
058the game the band plays the alma mater. The football team comes over to the to the band the play of the alma mater but then uh students take the field as well and then everyone stands the band plays the alma mater. Though since this was the last game other people were able to take the field kind of walk the field so the band played a lot of songs. They played for a while and we were able to kind of walk on the on the field and just kind of take the band played and we were we Mr. Gomez and I were able to walk on the the field for a few minutes and >> just kind of taking it under the lights and everything and you know one more time and when the band was
059playing and and actually Mr. Gomez pointed this out to me when we were walking it on the field the band was playing and they said one last time. Yeah. >> And I was like, "Oh man, they said one last time." He said they said that during the performance, but I didn't catch it during the performance. >> So, yeah, it was it was pretty emotional. But then the next morning got to see the girls soccer team play >> on the new field and it's just >> and it was a beautiful morning. It was just it's it was so it was so neat. It's like this this is where we play now. This is like >> state-ofthe-art. I love Clipper Stadium. It's where I I grew up. It was it's that's our but like this new place
060is >> it's it it was really neat. It was really neat. It was a beautiful day and the ladies got to play on it first. >> Thank you for mentioning that cuz I forgot those two events. I was at both of them. I just blur. We've been planning event after event after event. We keep crossing off our list. So, not that we don't enjoy these celebrations. We're happy when they're done cuz we move on to the next. But it was very nice. It's been so busy, but it was very it was very very exciting and it's we've been waiting for these things to happen like to get to see the stadium, get to see people sitting in those bleachers. And one exciting thing um is that when you're walking through the walkways is you can
061kind of go to the ne to your seat and you're not necessarily blocking someone's view. >> There are some places that you would be, but like I could be walking from one place to the next and I'm not someone can still be seeing the game and so that's also nice. So, it's very exciting. >> It'll be exciting every time. >> It will be. >> Yeah. And thanks to the team. I'm sorry to interject again, but I I forgot to mention that one. It didn't I had a list here, but I missed. But thanks to my team. I know Miss Stewart and our administrators and all the principles who set up events for the tailgate and all the, you know, the nice ceremony um with the Clifford Shoemaker family. It was all very nice. So, I
062appreciate the work of my team. Thank you. >> Sorry about that. >> Oh, you're good, Miss White. Um, yeah, Clifford Stadium is I I tried so hard when I was a kid to make cheerleading for four years. I did. And it, you know, because I wasn't real coordinated, but my sophomore year, I finally made it and I got to cheer on that field. And so many of my mentors like Marty, well, back then it was Clifford and out Shoeacher, but you know, they had taught us and and and so it's just hard to watch something like that go. Also, my daughter cheered for a year or two on that field as well. So it just it's it's just sad in a way, but it's good that the new one is so beautiful as it is.
063So it was very hard. Um the fresh farm garden that was a highlight that was just wonderful. Those kids are one I I will say I walked around saw the all the artists, the young artists. I would hang any of their pictures in my house. They're just beautiful, so talented. And I hope they do sell their little paintings because they are just wonderful. And I talked to each of them and they were just so sweet. And then I did get to see my friend Jennifer Schulman, the art teacher. We uh taught across the hall from one another. So I got to know her and she's just a lovely person. And then Steve and Steve, the two Steves also taught with them. And they're just it's just a wonderful, wonderful program. And I'm so happy and
064proud that that is going so well. Um, and I do have an article, but I don't think I can read it tonight. So, I will wait on that and that's all I have. >> Thank you, Miss White. >> Um, I'm up next. I know everybody is mentioning the same thing over and over again, but you know, I think it's such a monumental thing with the uh Clifford last game at Clifford that it had a huge impact even though I know that it probably for those of you that went to school there and you know, it probably hit a little bit different for you than for me, but it still was very emotional because I've I have attended did a lot of games over the years there and um you a lot of stuff. But um
065it it was a really nice ceremony and um it was a good evening and a good way to celebrate the ending of that era as we go into the next and then went to the soccer game the next morning and to stand there and I talked to a lot of the parents who had not been able you know it was the first time and they were just like wow this you know we've driven by but to be here and to stand here and to see it is just you more more than what I guess they expected even and to be able to watch our women athletes out there on the field and you could see the sense of pride that they had >> and I know that that will continue and I'm very excited, you
066know, for our first football game there. Um I'm just very excited for not just that field but our 6 through 12 campus as it opens. um because I think it will be wonderful to have a building that matches the pride of our community >> and it's a long time coming. So that was very exciting. And then of course Fresh Farm, it gets bigger every year. I have to park further and further away every year when I go to that event um because there's so many people that come uh to that. So it was a great event and that is all. Mr. >> I'm gonna go in reverse order. So, at Fresh Farm, I bought a I was able to buy a cabbage, some onions and garlic that they um grew there, and it was delicious.
067Um so, that was wonderful. Um I took my oldest nephew to the first game at the new stadium. He was so impressed. We peaked in the cafeteria as well cuz he could look in um but he just thought it was so impressive. Um, and it's nice because um, when somebody like blocks a goal or does something good, they flash their picture up on their screen. And I like that too because then the athletes get more recognition and I really enjoy that cuz we're highlighting our students more. >> Um, and then when and >> um, when I was at Clifford Stadium for the last time, one, I convinced Miss Stewart, I grabbed Coach Ross. He was there with his son, one of his sons and his grandson. And I got um convinced him he took some
068controlling for letting Miss Stewart take a picture of him on the field with his son, one of his sons and his grandson. And I know knew that he would appreciate that. And then he teared up, of course, cuz that's who he is. You know, you know him. Um but the memory I kept thinking of and it ties back to Preston when I was a student there. So, I thought that was be appropriate to end with is in the 90s when I was a student at the elementary schools, every elementary school had their own night at the football at the home football games where you would get a free ticket >> if you were elementary school and it was like a little paw like yellow paw and it said your school's name on it >> and
069so and then you would go sit in your like little section. So, Preston always had to share with another school cuz there only five home games. We had seven schools. We were tiny little Preston. So we'd share with like Price or Newberry, one of the other small schools, but then you'd go sit with all your elementary school people that night. And so I kept thinking about those and like being one of my best memories of elementary school of when we, you know, it would be a Friday night. You got to sit there with all your friends and family from Preston um sitting there at the football game. So that's what I kept thinking of. Um some of my best memories as a kid. So >> yeah, I remember when the football players and cheerleaders would
070go to the elementary for trick or treat and we called it fun versus vandalism. We would go and meet these little kid, you know, not that I was that big, you know, >> it was a different so it was so much fun to go. Okay, I know. But it, you know, it ties in with, you know, I just was just fun to see the little ones. >> Oh well. >> No, it's awesome. That's great. I love that. Elementary. >> So many memories >> going and having family nights. >> AMJ is executive session and it's pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 121.22 G2. It is hereby moved that the board adjourn to executive session to consider the purchase of property for public p purposes, the sale of property at competitive bidding, or the sale or other
071disposition of unneeded, obsolete, or unfit for use property. Second going into executive session, >> I'm sorry, >> Miss Stoy, please call the role. >> Mr. Harris, hi. >> Mrs. Schaer, hi. Miss White. >> Hi, >> Miss Coco. >> Hi, >> Mr. Go. >> Hi. >> Executive session at 6:27 p.m. There will be no motions afterward.